I don't think Cal is that good, but I don't think Braxton (or A-Wash) is playing this week. Cal's O is going to move the ball some with that short passing game, and I think Sonny Dykes is smart enough to realize that OSU's DL is probably better than their LBs (although C. Grant has been playing pretty well), so I anticipate lots of 3 step drops to nullify the OSU DL and exploit OSU's LBs in space.

That said, I expect to see a lot of DIME out of the Buckeyes and I think they have the safeties to get that done, so expect bend but don't break out of OSU with better than expected pass rush. I expect Goff, the Cal freshman starter at QB, to make some mistakes early. All in all, I think it feels like a strange game that the Buckeyes win fairly easily. Cal does not have the D to slow even a Miller-less OSU offense.

Buckeyes win fairly big, 49-17

Coming from a Wolverine, we're the football equivalent of a formerly abused wife of a meth addict who just remarried the safe nice guy. We're just glad we have someone who's aware that it's a rivalry and that tackling on defense is integral. Baby steps.

I keep hearing people say they should keep BM off the field until B1G season starts. I know that the chance of losing the next 2 games without him is remote, and I want to protect him has much as the next guy, but wouldn't it be a good idea to get the dude SOME reps before Wisci?

B1G teams are 6-20 in true road games against the Pac-12 since 2000. It's a definite shock to the system for these kids. Ohio State's players will be playing at 10 p.m. body clock time. It shouldn't be an issue with all of the adrenaline, but it's something to consider. Ohio State's back to a 15.5 point favorite after some California money came in earlier today. I have the line around 19.

I've considered playing Cal, because I think they're going to move the ball and they've already faced two offenses, Northwestern and Portland State, that prepare them well for what Ohio State wants to do. Problem is, how many does Cal need to score to cover? My best guess is a 42-24 Ohio State win. Over money has come in on the opening total of 63, and that's with Miller's status as questionable, so it seems there's some confidence in Kenny Guiton's ability if Miller does not play.

This one may be close for comfort for a while. Cal should get a nice push from an energized crowd and it may take the Ohio State defense a quarter to get up to speed. Ultimately, Ohio State's deeper, a lot more experienced, and they'll disguise coverage and blitzes well to confuse the true freshman Jared Goff.

A God Damn dead man would understand that if a minor league bus in any city took a real sharp right turn, a Zack McCalister would likely fall out. - Lead Pipe

"Well Bob, I think God and the Angels keep it close for the first half and then Meyer pulls away in the second half, 84-17."

"I think it is a lot closer than that, I think Meyer wins on a late Meyer field goal, 17-14."

In all seriousness, this is not a good Cal team. You think the game will be closer Brian? The way I see it, Cal got beat by a NW team that we think will be good in a decent game. That said, we have no empirical evidence that this NW team is actually good. Now, Cal did struggle mightily with Portland State giving up 30?! points to them in the first half before winning the game in the second half. We know that that Portland State is not actually any good, so what we have is a 3-9 Cal team from last year and at least one data point here that suggests that they are a 3-9 team this year.

Coming from a Wolverine, we're the football equivalent of a formerly abused wife of a meth addict who just remarried the safe nice guy. We're just glad we have someone who's aware that it's a rivalry and that tackling on defense is integral. Baby steps.

"Well Bob, I think God and the Angels keep it close for the first half and then Meyer pulls away in the second half, 84-17."

"I think it is a lot closer than that, I think Meyer wins on a late Meyer field goal, 17-14."

In all seriousness, this is not a good Cal team. You think the game will be closer Brian? The way I see it, Cal got beat by a NW team that we think will be good in a decent game. That said, we have no empirical evidence that this NW team is actually good. Now, Cal did struggle mightily with Portland State giving up 30?! points to them in the first half before winning the game in the second half. We know that that Portland State is not actually any good, so what we have is a 3-9 Cal team from last year and at least one data point here that suggests that they are a 3-9 team this year.

I think there's a solid chance Cal hits the mid-20's in points today. That said, I still thinks OSU wins by three TDS. Maybe more. But I'm seeing more of a 48 to 24 kind of game.

I just seriously was reminded of Da Bears skit when I looked at the projected scores

Coming from a Wolverine, we're the football equivalent of a formerly abused wife of a meth addict who just remarried the safe nice guy. We're just glad we have someone who's aware that it's a rivalry and that tackling on defense is integral. Baby steps.

Stoked. It is so nice not to hear Spielman or Beth Mowins. I gotta say, Spiels has gotten better, but he is aware that everyone knows he used to be a Buckeye so he goes to great lengths to sound less like a homer. It is annoying.

I don't care much for Sean McDonough.

Coming from a Wolverine, we're the football equivalent of a formerly abused wife of a meth addict who just remarried the safe nice guy. We're just glad we have someone who's aware that it's a rivalry and that tackling on defense is integral. Baby steps.

I thought that was a solid choice, I hate it when they let the ball roll inside the 5, but I do hate the bobbles. I don't think he has fielded a punt clean this year.

No secret, Ohio State travels as well or better than any other team in the country. The only team that is close is ND.

Coming from a Wolverine, we're the football equivalent of a formerly abused wife of a meth addict who just remarried the safe nice guy. We're just glad we have someone who's aware that it's a rivalry and that tackling on defense is integral. Baby steps.

Holy Shit. Kenny G is mu'fucking on tonight! That is 2 perfect, PERFECT... NFL caliber throws. Both hit Smith perfectly in stride. The coverage on the second TD was great, the throw was better. HOLY SHIT.

That is some pretty sweet adult contemporary Jazz that KG is playing there!

Coming from a Wolverine, we're the football equivalent of a formerly abused wife of a meth addict who just remarried the safe nice guy. We're just glad we have someone who's aware that it's a rivalry and that tackling on defense is integral. Baby steps.

I just hope we don't do our.... "Hey, we're up by 21 six minutes into the game, let's get conservative and make the score closer than the game."

KG might be creating a bit of QB controversy. He is sharp, and I think you could make the case that he sees the field better than Braxton. I am not advocating on his behalf, but I am saying that case could be argued.

Coming from a Wolverine, we're the football equivalent of a formerly abused wife of a meth addict who just remarried the safe nice guy. We're just glad we have someone who's aware that it's a rivalry and that tackling on defense is integral. Baby steps.

Well, that was nice, they didn't go ultra conservative following the TO up by a bunch.

KR coverage looks much better this year. ST is much better this year.

Coming from a Wolverine, we're the football equivalent of a formerly abused wife of a meth addict who just remarried the safe nice guy. We're just glad we have someone who's aware that it's a rivalry and that tackling on defense is integral. Baby steps.

Shades of Buffalo? Score 21 quick and then the wheels start falling off the wagon?

Coming from a Wolverine, we're the football equivalent of a formerly abused wife of a meth addict who just remarried the safe nice guy. We're just glad we have someone who's aware that it's a rivalry and that tackling on defense is integral. Baby steps.

It is pretty much working. I am pretty sure Shazier is on pace for 400 tackles in this game.

Coming from a Wolverine, we're the football equivalent of a formerly abused wife of a meth addict who just remarried the safe nice guy. We're just glad we have someone who's aware that it's a rivalry and that tackling on defense is integral. Baby steps.

I just like throwing on 1st, running on 2nd and then vice versa. You really don't know what they are going to do on any given down when the coaching staff is actually still engaged in the game. What I don't like is that in the first couple of games, it felt a lot like coasting after they got a lead.

Coming from a Wolverine, we're the football equivalent of a formerly abused wife of a meth addict who just remarried the safe nice guy. We're just glad we have someone who's aware that it's a rivalry and that tackling on defense is integral. Baby steps.

He is usually a pretty smart player (although that was a bad play) so I'll cut him some slack there.

THere is no way that Shazier is anywhere close to his listed weight of 222. I would be shocked if he was 210. Not saying that he isn't big enough, he clearly is, he just ain't no 222.

Coming from a Wolverine, we're the football equivalent of a formerly abused wife of a meth addict who just remarried the safe nice guy. We're just glad we have someone who's aware that it's a rivalry and that tackling on defense is integral. Baby steps.

No way, the SDSU game is still actually being played in a parallel universe. That game was never going to end.

Shazier back on the field.

Coming from a Wolverine, we're the football equivalent of a formerly abused wife of a meth addict who just remarried the safe nice guy. We're just glad we have someone who's aware that it's a rivalry and that tackling on defense is integral. Baby steps.

No way, the SDSU game is still actually being played in a parallel universe. That game was never going to end.

Shazier back on the field.

Coming from a Wolverine, we're the football equivalent of a formerly abused wife of a meth addict who just remarried the safe nice guy. We're just glad we have someone who's aware that it's a rivalry and that tackling on defense is integral. Baby steps.

Cal's game plan is pretty clear, and it is what we are going to see from NW too...

Short passing game, just enough running to make it matter, but no real effectiveness. 60+ passes through the course of the game. Lots of 3 step drops and 5 yard outs and curls/stops. OSU is playing Dime to keep it in front of them and it is pretty much working. The downside is that we are going to see Cal throw for about 400 yards. It is what it is. Goff is not likely to hold the ball long enough to take many sacks, but Spence, Miller, Marcus and Bosa are doing a great job getting pressure. The DT's are doing a good job too. you get a feel that if they are going to try 5-7 step drops they are going to pay for it.

Coming from a Wolverine, we're the football equivalent of a formerly abused wife of a meth addict who just remarried the safe nice guy. We're just glad we have someone who's aware that it's a rivalry and that tackling on defense is integral. Baby steps.

fairvis wrote:A nice bit of trickery with having your punter and starting QB having the same number. And Goff really put that one on the money.

I was just telling my so that this is the one time this year that will work. Now every coach in the future will realize that the punter and QB have the same number. That was their one freebee.

Coming from a Wolverine, we're the football equivalent of a formerly abused wife of a meth addict who just remarried the safe nice guy. We're just glad we have someone who's aware that it's a rivalry and that tackling on defense is integral. Baby steps.

furls wrote:Cal's game plan is pretty clear, and it is what we are going to see from NW too...

Short passing game, just enough running to make it matter, but no real effectiveness. 60+ passes through the course of the game. Lots of 3 step drops and 5 yard outs and curls/stops. OSU is playing Dime to keep it in front of them and it is pretty much working. The downside is that we are going to see Cal throw for about 400 yards. It is what it is. Goff is not likely to hold the ball long enough to take many sacks, but Spence, Miller, Marcus and Bosa are doing a great job getting pressure. The DT's are doing a good job too. you get a feel that if they are going to try 5-7 step drops they are going to pay for it.

can't we pull CBs and LBs up 3 yards to jam up those lanes, and maybe get between QB and WRs?

Criminals in this town used to believe in things...honor, respect."I heard your dog is sick, so bought you this shovel"

They are varying the coverage. Sometimes up tight (the Roby near INT) and other times off the WR. You don't necessarily want to put your CBs on the LOS every play because then they can starting gaming that by running the WRs down the field and then throwing short routes in the flat in the space vacated by the CB who now has his back turned and is chasing the WR down the field. They are doing a decent job mixing it up and they are doing a decent job tackling in space minimizing YAC.

The bet here is that CAL is going to struggle to run 14 plays to take it 81 yards for a TD consistently.

Coming from a Wolverine, we're the football equivalent of a formerly abused wife of a meth addict who just remarried the safe nice guy. We're just glad we have someone who's aware that it's a rivalry and that tackling on defense is integral. Baby steps.